Newcastle United to battle Chelsea for Lyon's Rayan Cherki?

The versatile playmaker broke into the Gones first team at the age of 16 and has continued to go from strength to strength at the Groupama Stadium over the past couple of years.

Now 18, Cherki has already racked up 102 appearances for Lyon in all tournaments, scoring 14 goals and setting up 16 more for the French powerhouses in that time.

The 2022-23 campaign saw Cherki come up with five goals and six assists from 39 matches, during which time he was deployed on both wings and as a number 10.

The 2003-born playmaker has also made a name for himself at international level with six goals and three assists in 14 matches for France's Under-21s, including two strikes at the recent Under-21 Euros.

Despite Cherki's contributions, Les Bleuets' run ended prematurely in the quarter-finals, and the Lyon man is still waiting to earn his first cap for the senior national team.

Nevertheless, Cherki's rapid breakthrough has naturally alerted teams from the Premier League, and Chelsea are rumoured to be preparing their opening offer for the teenager.

However, Foot Mercato claims that the Blues could be facing strong competition in the shape of Newcastle, and Lyon's financial situation could force them into a sale for the right price.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe has poured doubt on his side's ability to make more big-money signings in the current window, though, admitting that they are working to strict budget constraints.

Newcastle have only brought in Sandro Tonali and Yankuba Minteh - who has been immediately loaned out to Feyenoord - so far, but they have been tipped to bolster their creative ranks ahead of their long-awaited return to the Champions League.

Newcastle were believed to have been leading the race for James Maddison at one stage, but the Magpies pulled out to focus on the signing of Tonali, allowing Tottenham Hotspur to swoop in.

Howe's side were also tipped to trigger the release clause in Dominik Szoboszlai's contract before Liverpool made their move, while speculation continues to intensify over a move for Leicester City's Harvey Barnes.

Cherki could potentially arrive at Newcastle as a direct replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin, whom Newcastle are believed to be willing to do away with this summer after an underwhelming 2022-23 season.

Saint-Maximin only netted once and provided five assists in 25 Premier League outings last season, but Howe has affirmed that he wants to keep the former Nice man at St James' Park, where he is under contract until 2026.

Meanwhile, Cherki is due to become a free agent in two years' time, although Lyon are rumoured to be holding out for a sum of €50m (£42.9m) to sanction a sale in the current window.